brick houses, plastic furniture, Western
clothing, and new cars. They worry about
young people who seek education and jobs
elsewhere and grow apart from their land
and traditions.
Yet what is considered traditional today
was new a hundred years ago. And the g6r
ale are standing their ground. Their roots go
deep and strong. They feel that being a g6ral
is an honor, a special gift. Why else would
poet Stanistaw Nedza-Kubiniec speak of his
distinct mountain dialect with such pride?
And you are:
sharp-likethe steel ofa brigand'sknife,
beautiful-like morning light at dawn,
miraculous-likea rose blooming
among locks,
sweet-like a girl by the campfire.
Hey, my dear
in love I fell with you, to death.
In June the snow started to go. One could
Poignant moments: Last born of 11
children,Staszka Pradziadawaits her
wedding (above). After the rites she
and her groom snuggle in a horse
drawn wagon (right), rolling home
for two days of feasting and merriment
strenuous even by Polish standards.
Along the roadvillagers have erected
gates where the couple must leave
small gifts before they may pass-an
old and honored g6ralcustom.
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